Directive on Business Travel for Elected Representatives Department responsible: Finance Effective date: January 1 st 2003 Reference: Policies CC 1999/00-13, 2000/01-21, 2003/04-05, 2004/05-18, 2006/2007-24, 2007/08-02, 2007/2008-62, 2010/2011-39 2012/13-67 and 2014/2015-56 Approved by: Director-General Amended: July 1, 2001, December 7, 2004, July 1, 2008, July 1, 2011, August 30 th, 2011,June 28, 2013 and March 20, 2015 Underlined article numbers identify provisions already adopted by the Council of Commissioners 1. Premises 1.1 purposes This directive sets the rules pertaining to the payment or reimbursement by KSB, to its elected representatives, of the expenses incurred by them while traveling for business purposes. This directive also sets the rules pertaining to the accomplishment of business travel. 1.2 definitions In this directive, the following expressions are defined as: a) business travel: any form of travel on a short or long distance, required by KSB for professional purposes; b) elected representative: a school commissioner, an education committee member or the Kativik Regional Government representative sitting on the Council of Commissioners; c) location of meeting: the location where the elected representative has to go for meetings, work or business purposes, which is not in his community of residence; d) Transport Services: the Kativik School Board Transport Services, located in Dorval. March 20, 2015 1 FIN-01 / Directive on business travel
2. General principles 2.1 application This directive applies to all KSB elected representatives (hereinafter called the travelers ). 2.2 principle of payment 2.3 expenses covered The basic principle of all payments or reimbursements for travel expenses is to indemnify the traveler for direct and necessary expenses incurred. This indemnification is not, at any time, to be considered as a form of compensation or remuneration for traveling on behalf of KSB. The only travel expenses which may be authorized are those considered necessary for the accomplishment of the elected representative s duties or mandate. 2.4 room services Personal expenses such as room service, movie channel, alcohol, laundry and personal telephone calls may not be charged to KSB. 2.5 obligation to be cost-effective 2.6 promotion of the Nunavik economy 2.7 approval of travel expenses 2.8 travel outside Canada All travel must be effected in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. Subject to section 2.5, all travel arrangements should strive to call on the services of Inuit travel agencies, Inuit transportation companies and other Inuit businesses (hotels, taxis, etc.) whenever possible and cost comparable so as to promote the Nunavik economy. All elected representatives travel expenses claims shall be approved by the Director-General. For business travel expenses incurred outside Canada, all allowances are payable at par, in US currency. Two separate travel claims should be filled, using only one currency per claim. 2.9 taxes Amounts for travel expenses covered in this directive include taxes, when applicable. 3. Required authorization to travel 3.1 necessary form Any elected representative who needs to travel for business purposes must ask the Administrative Assistant at the General Administration to submit to Transport Services a "Request for Travel Arrangements", as shown in Annex A. 3.2 least expensive means of transportation For all types of travel, the traveler is required to use the least expensive means of transportation available. He may be authorized to use the airplane, bus, train, taxi, rental car, personal vehicle or snowmobile. March 20, 2015 2 FIN-01 / Directive on business travel
3.3 modifications to travel arrangements 3.4 maximum reimbursable 3.5 other arrangements Should the traveler modify his travel arrangements, he must notify the Administrative Assistant at the General Administration as soon as possible. Should the traveler s choice of transportation be other than the least expensive one, he shall be reimbursed only the equivalent cost of the least expensive of the following means of transportation listed in section 3.2 and available to get to his destination. The traveler may settle with the Director-General on any other travel arrangements to better suit his needs, as long as it does not cost more than the cost of the hotel room when arranged by KSB. Procedure 3A) necessary request for travel 3B) send request 10 days prior to departure For commissioners' travels and education committee members' travels, all requests for travel arrangements are filled by the Administrative assistant at KSB's General Administration. To avoid any additional costs, the request for travel arrangements should be received by Transport Services at least 10 days before departure. 4. Air transportation 4.1 use of charters The General Administration may organize charters when scheduled flights cannot accommodate the travel needs of the travelers and when the additional costs are countered by appropriate savings in accommodation expenses. 4.2 excess baggage KSB shall not prepay nor reimburse expenses incurred for excess baggage. However, should KSB material be carried in excess of the usual elected representative s luggage, the Director-General may preauthorize it. Procedure 4A) ticket delivery The traveler s ticket is delivered to the airline counter. 4B) maximum luggage free of charge First Air accepts 2 pieces of luggage but restrictions may apply on their dimensions. The traveler should check with the airline before departure. Air Inuit accepts 2 pieces of luggage but restricts the weight to 30 kg for the Montreal/Kuujjuaraapik route and 20 kg everywhere else in Nunavik. 4C) confirmation before departure 4D) presence at the airport In all cases, the traveler has to confirm his reservations with the airline at least 24 hours prior to his departure. The traveler has to be present at the airline counter at least one (1) hour before departure to avoid cancellation of his trip by the airline company. March 20, 2015 3 FIN-01 / Directive on business travel
5. Ground transportation 5.1 in nunavik Expenses incurred by a traveler for transportation in a Nunavik community from and to the airport are reimbursed only when a taxi service is used. 5.2 in the south Ground transportation expenses are reimbursed for traveling between: a) the airport and the hotel; b) the hotel or the airport and the location of a meeting. 5.3 business purposes only Under no circumstances shall a traveler claim for the use of ground transportation when effected for personal reasons or for events not related to KSB activities. Use of personal vehicle 5.4 rates applicable The allowance for use of a personal vehicle is set in Annex B. 5.5 maximum daily rate 5.6 maximum monthly rate 5.7 responsibility to declare the monthly distance A traveler using a personal vehicle for long distance travel during the same day, receives the full rate for the first 200 km and a lower rate for kilometrage exceeding the daily maximum, as described in Annex B. A traveler using a personal vehicle on a frequent basis receives the full rate for the first 600 km done in a 30 day period and receives a lower rate for kilometrage exceeding the monthly maximum, as described in Annex B. It is the sole responsibility of the traveler to make sure that he does not claim the full rate when his monthly 600 km limit is attained. Omission to do so may constitute a false declaration (see article 12.2 below). 5.8 parking fees KSB reimburses parking fees incurred by elected representatives during the course of their duties. Car rental 5.9 reservation Should a rental car be needed, the traveler must indicate it on the Request for Travel Arrangements form. Transport Services makes the reservation as per the request. 5.10 expenses reimbursed A traveler who rents a vehicle is reimbursed for expenses actually incurred for gasoline, with receipts. 5.11 for meetings A Commissioner may rent a vehicle in a locality where a meeting takes place, to provide collective transportation of commissioners, if need be, providing he has a valid driving license. March 20, 2015 4 FIN-01 / Directive on business travel
Procedure 5A) vehicle rental Transport Services makes the reservation for car rentals, only when necessary for the accomplishment of the traveler's business duties. 5B) reimbursement for public transportation Should a traveler himself rent a car, he must make sure to have a valid driver s license and all the necessary insurance coverage and protection. When ground transportation is provided by public transportation, the traveler pays for it and claims for reimbursement upon presentation of a receipt. 6. Allowance for lodging 6.1 application Expenses incurred by a traveler for lodging at a hotel or in a private residence are paid according to the rates established in Annex B. 6.2 arrangements For lodging in Nunavik, the arrangements are made by the Centre Director. For lodging in the South, arrangements are made by the Administrative Assistant at the General Administration. 6.3 cases where own arrangements are made Exceptionally, a traveler may make his own lodging accommodation arrangements. 6.4 house rental When sufficient accommodation is not available in the community, it is possible to rent a non KSB house according to the rates established in Annex B. Procedure In Nunavik 6A) request for accommodation 6B) arrangements for accommodation in private residences 6C) payment to the host Where accommodation is needed while traveling in Nunavik, the traveler must indicate it on the "Request for Travel Arrangements" form. Transport Services will transmit the request to the Centre Director of the community where the traveler needs accommodation. If the traveler wishes to be lodged in a private residence he may make the lodging arrangements himself or ask the Centre Director to make the arrangements. For all accommodations in private residences, the Centre Director of the host community is responsible for processing the claim (see Annex C), sending it to the Finance Department for authorization and then making the appropriate payment to the host. In the South 6D) arrangements For hotel accommodations while on business travel in the South, arrangements are made by the Administrative Assistant at the General Administration. 6E) payment to the host When accommodation is provided by a host in a private residence, the traveler has the responsibility to indemnify his host and claim for reimbursement. March 20, 2015 5 FIN-01 / Directive on business travel
7. Allowance for meals 7.1 rates applicable The allowance for meals is set forth in Annex B. 7.2 breakfast If the traveler is still in transit at 7:00 a.m., the breakfast allowance is paid. 7.3 lunch If the traveler is still traveling between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., the lunch allowance is paid. 7.4 supper If the traveler is still traveling between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., the supper allowance is paid. 7.5 cases where meal expenses can be claimed Meal expenses are reimbursed only if a meal was not otherwise provided, at no cost, in the course of the travel (on a plane, at a banquet, by an organization or otherwise). 7.6 meals taken at the hotel Payment of meal or other consumption taken in a hotel must be paid by the traveler before leaving the hotel. It may not be charged to KSB. Procedure 7A) lodging and meals When a traveler s lodging in Nunavik includes meals, the host is paid directly for meals by the Centre Director. 7B) travel claim When lodging doesn't include meals, the traveler claims his meals by filling a travel expense form (see section 9 below) 8. Other expenses 8.1 incidental fee For each day spent away from his home community for Board purposes, KSB pays the traveler an incidental fee as established in Annex B.. 8.2 baby-sitting A maximum of $40.00 per day, per child up to 10 years old, is reimbursed for baby-sitting costs incurred by a commissioner who is a single parent for the purpose of attending Council of Commissioners or Executive Committee meetings only. These expenses shall not have been incurred with a community day care centre or with a person residing with the commissioner. Receipts must be submitted. 8.3 telephone To cover the cost of all and any telephone calls that the members of the Council of Commissioners and Executive Committee may have to make in relation to attending Board meetings in the South or in the North, each member shall be entitled to a $50.00 allowance when attending Board meetings in the South and to a $20.00 allowance when attending Board meetings in the North. 8.4 other expenses in the south For each travel South, KSB pays Commissioners and Executive Committee members a fee of ten ($10.00) dollars for the entire length of the trip to cover other expenses. March 20, 2015 6 FIN-01 / Directive on business travel
9. Travel claims 9.1 approval of travel claims All travel claims for business expenses should be approved and signed by the Director-General and forwarded to the Director of Finance for payment. 9.2 deadline to submit a travel claim All claims for reimbursement must be submitted within sixty (60) days after the completion of the trip, failing which KSB may refuse to reimburse the travel expenses. However, the claims for reimbursement related to December must be submitted before January 31st of the following year. Failure to submit the claim within that delay could disqualify the employee from receiving reimbursement. Procedure 9A) form to be used All requests for the reimbursement of travel expenses must be submitted on the appropriate travel claim form. 9B) signature and original receipts 9C) send to finance department The travel claim must be signed by the traveler and submitted with all the original receipts to support the expenses claimed. The claim and all pertinent documents approved by the Director-General must be sent to the KSB head office to the Finance Department. 10. Travel advances 10.1 only case where a travel advance is possible Travel advances may be provided to an elected representative only if authorized by the Director-General and the Director of Finance. KSB may authorize up to 80% of the anticipated costs, which must represent a minimum of $150. 11. Insurance 11.1 personal effects The traveler is responsible for obtaining, at his own expense, sufficient insurance to cover his personal effects while traveling on business trips. KSB does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage caused to the traveler's luggage. 11.2 life insurance When air travel arrangements are made through KSB services, the traveler is automatically covered by the travel agency s insurance in case of an accident. For more information, contact the FCNQ travel agency. 12. Elected representative s responsibility 12.1 liability of the elected representative Any elected representative who, because of his own negligence, does not perform the duties for which he was traveling, may be held personally liable for all costs incurred by his negligence. March 20, 2015 7 FIN-01 / Directive on business travel
12.2 falsified claims An elected representative who knowingly makes a false declaration or claim for an expense that was already paid or reimbursed to another claimant may be subject to appropriate sanctions and payment of administration fees. Procedure 12A) possible credit If the traveler does not use his transportation tickets, the unused tickets should be sent as soon as possible to Transport Services for credit and reimbursement by the airline company. 12B) hotel cancellation The same principle applies to hotel reservations. The traveler must advise the hotel of any modifications to the reservation so that no charges are levied when the hotel room is not used. 13. Final provisions 13.1 exceptional expenses Under special circumstances, the Director-General may authorize the reimbursement of other exceptional expenses upon presentation of the relevant receipts. 14. Application of this directive 14.1 prior provisions The present directive replaces all other directives of the Board pertaining to this subject, while respecting the policies adopted by the Council of Commissioners where applicable. If such policies are adopted, the provisions of these policies will be integrated into this directive for the benefit of the reader. 14.2 responsibility Any person referred to in this Directive must abide to all its provisions and all managers of the School Board are responsible to ensure that all its provisions are applied and respected. The Director of Finance is the person responsible for providing support in the interpretation of this Directive and to ensure its revision when necessary. March 20, 2015 8 FIN-01 / Directive on business travel
Annex A
Annex B Allowances and Rates for Business Travel / Elected Representatives Transport Taxi fare Car rental Parking Personal vehicle Kilometrage Meals with receipts actual cost of rental plus gasoline with receipts Car and snowmobile Daily first 200 km @ $0.55/km balance @ $0.45/km Monthly first 600 km @ $0.55/km balance @ $0.45/km Breakfast: $13.00 (if still traveling before 7 a.m.) Lunch: $18.00 (if traveling between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) Lodging North In a private residence House rental In a hotel South In a private residence In a hotel Supper: $29.00 (if traveling between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) $55.00 / night (with receipt) A maximum of $200 for 2 bedroom and $250 for 3 bedroom and more (excluding food) The actual cost of the room (with receipt) $55.00 /night A maximum of $220.00 per night, including taxes (with original receipt or invoice). Hand-written receipts are not accepted.
Others Incidental fee. Baby-sitting costs. Telephone.. $15.00 per day; A maximum of $40:00 per day, per child up to 10 years old; Allowance of $50 per commissioner, per meeting held in the South and $20 per meeting held in the North. $10 per meeting held in the South. Other.. Effective date: March 20, 2015 March 20, 2015 11 FIN-01 / Directive on business travel
Annex C Claim by the host for lodging and meals in a private residence in Nunavik After authorization, forward this claim to KSB Finance Department Community: Control # : Traveler: printed letters Host printed letters Month Breakfast Lunch Supper Lodging Budget Code Centre Director Signature Authorizing Department Signature of Authorization Comments: